torsion

In physics, the state of strain set up in a twisted material; for example, when a thread, wire, or rod is twisted, the torsion set up in the material tends to return the material to its original state. The torsion balance, a sensitive device for measuring small gravitational or magnetic forces, or electric charges, balances these against the restoring force set up by them in a torsion suspension.

torsion

In biology, the process in which organs or tumours that are attached to other structures in the body by a narrow piece of tissue, become twisted. This results in a narrowing of the blood vessels supplying the organ or tumour.